According to BBC on May 19, 24-year-old Reid Jahnai Daysun and 27-year-old Neal Jabahri Duan broke into the Monkey Punch enclosure at a zoo in Ichikawa, Chiba, Japan, and were detained. The video shows that Daysun was dressed in what was believed to be imitating emoji elements used to promote Meme coin cryptocurrencies. The two men face charges of obstructing business activities, and both have pleaded not guilty.
Event Timeline and Confirmed Details
(Source: X)
May 17, 2026 (Sunday): Daysun climbed over the fence into the monkey enclosure, while Duan filmed the video; security personnel immediately arrested both men. According to the New York Post, Daysun also had a plush toy.
May 18, 2026 (Monday): The Ichikawa City Zoo formally filed a police report with the Ichikawa Police Station and posted a statement on X: “We sincerely apologize for the concerns caused by yesterday’s incident of entering the monkey enclosure. The animals showed no signs of abnormality.” The zoo said it would take measures to prevent similar incidents from happening again, and pledged to “crack down strictly on any behavior that violates regulations.”
Charge Status (Confirmed): Both men face charges of obstructing business activities, and both deny the allegations.
The Background of Punch’s Viral Fame
Punch is a juvenile macaque kept by the Ichikawa City Zoo, and it became a global social media sensation this past February. The zoo at the time shared a photo of Punch holding a large gorilla plush toy—Punch was abandoned by its mother from a young age, and it repeatedly failed to integrate into the troop (either the other monkeys ignored it or showed violent tendencies). To help him build muscle and make up for the lack of maternal care, the staff gave him this plush toy. Punch’s story spread rapidly across the internet worldwide, attracting visitors from around the globe who came specifically to visit Japan to see him.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the specific charges the two American men are accused of?
The two men face charges of “obstructing business activities,” and both deny the allegations. Under Japanese law, entering a commercial facility without authorization and interfering with its normal operations may constitute such an offense; whether the charges are upheld depends on subsequent judicial proceedings.
Which specific meme coin is Daysun’s “meme-coin outfit” related to?
According to reports, Daysun wore a blue suit printed with a smiley face emoji and was believed to be imitating a visual element commonly seen in meme-coin promotional activities. At present, which specific meme-coin token is being promoted has not been confirmed in the reports.
Will this incident affect Punch or the other animals at the zoo?
According to the Ichikawa City Zoo’s official statement on X, after the incident occurred, “the animals showed no signs of abnormality.” Before the two men were arrested by security, they also had no direct contact with Punch or any other monkeys.
